Help! Bad news from vet - YorkieTalk.com Forums

maggiepie · 06-03-2005, 09:08 AM

Hi,
Please tell me what to do. Nikki's blood work came back with high BUN levels. She is about 14 mo old and the vet said the levels were 30!!! He said she could go on a prescription diet of KD, but thepicture he painted was bleak. I was trying to understand if the diet would 'eliminate' the problem, but he seemed to be telling me that eventually she would have kidney failure!!
What the heck should I do? Second opinion???
I called the woman I got her from and left a msg.....My husband and I are of course so attached to her ALREADY!!! She is such a doll! But the horrible truth is, I can't afford dialysis and he said most owners eventually euthanize.
Oh my gosh!!!!
This is so sad!!!!

Babbie · 06-03-2005, 09:17 AM

Get a second opinion...like for us human, this can make all the difference. I pray that she will be okay...but stay confident that if indeed it is as bad as the vet said, she can always improve...don't give up on you lil girl.

Best of luck!

jennifermcb · 06-03-2005, 09:35 AM

WHat was the diagnosis? I don't understand what high levels of BUN mean.

Definitely get a second opinion and research ways to modify her diet so that she can live a normal, healthy life.

Best of luck to you guys!

bettyeanne · 06-03-2005, 09:44 AM

So sorry to hear about your baby! If you go to google.com and use advanced search, type in blood, then "search within results" type in BUN, then again "search within results" type in Canine ... this gives lots of information sites. I briefly read info on one of the sites ... had lots of clinical information. I am going back over there and search for information on treatment, etc.

maggiepie · 06-03-2005, 09:48 AM

I'm getting a second opinion, having the blood work faxed to another vet whom will re do the BUN test to clarify. I'm HOPING there is some mistake or it is manageable at least!!!!
Thanks everyone for the help.....

CC's · 06-03-2005, 10:09 AM

I would check the protein level in the food you use.
Sometimes high percent of protein can cause high BUN levels. If thats the only thing wrong in the blood work I would change foods and retest in 30 days or so. Keep the food with a protein level of less than 23% and fat less than 13%.

I hope thats all it is.

maggiepie · 06-03-2005, 10:35 AM

thank-you!
I have an appt for a second opinion. They will re-run the BUN again and I had the other vet fax the bloodwork info as well. I hope that is all it is!!! I can't imagine anything could be so wrong. She appears to be completely healthy. Runs and plays and has energy...only thing is tiny appetite, which is 'normal' for yorkies. Besides, she is only 3.4 lbs!!

SoCalyorkiLvr · 06-03-2005, 11:30 AM

Don't have anythhing to add for advice ,but just wanted to offer support. So sorry you got bad news. Hopefully changing thr diet and retesting in 30 days will work.

suzysmitt · 06-03-2005, 04:17 PM

I think I'd go to another vet, and have the bloodwork done over. Best wishes , and I will pray for you.

Yorkie_GirL · 06-03-2005, 05:15 PM

i'm a human nurse, but i know a little about BUN. (well i think i should

)

this is for humans, but i'm not sure about yorkies

The BUN level, usually with tests for creatinine, is used to evaluate kidney function and to monitor patients with kidney failure or those receiving dialysis therapy

High BUN levels suggest impaired kidney function. This may be due to acute or chronic kidney disease. However, there are many things besides kidney disease that can affect BUN levels such as decreased blood flow to the kidneys as in congestive heart failure, shock, stress, recent heart attack or severe burns; conditions that cause obstruction of urine flow; or dehydration.

Creatinine is a protein produced by muscle and released into the blood. The amount produced is relatively stable in a given person. The creatinine level in the serum is therefore determined by the rate it is being removed, which is roughly a measure of kidney function. If kidney function falls (say a kidney is removed to donate to a relative), the creatinine level will rise.

hope that helps.. a little

maggiepie · 06-03-2005, 09:49 PM

I'm going to have the blood test re-done, so I'm hoping, hoping there may have been an error or if not that they can at least say, Well she will be alright if I keep her off protien.
She is just a sweetheart and she seems perfectly fine! I don't understand how she can run and play and be eager for walks,etc if she is as 'sick' as they make her sound.
Well, thanks for the encouragement and I'll keep you posted!
Thanks
Marcia

Marie · 06-03-2005, 10:13 PM

is a good idea to have her recheck. I didnt know much about this so i did some research I found these links. http://www.vetinfo.com/dbloodwork.ht...odwork%20panel
http://www.peteducation.com/article....&articleid=989
I hope are helpful. I agreed a change in diet might be all she need. I hope the new test shows her BUn leves in the normal. Good luck with your little one.

maggiepie · 06-04-2005, 06:08 AM

Thank-you for going through the trouble of helping me research! I went to the link you gave me and BOY, I am so hopeful now!!!! That article really made me feel a lot better!!!!
Many many thanks to all of you have been of help.

P.S. Oreo's mom....thank-you to for your nurse's input. You said a lot of things the article said as well.

maxlover · 06-04-2005, 11:54 AM

Please get a second opinion. I just brought my Max home from the vet hospital today after a stay for 5 days. He had surgery for bladder stones, came through fine, then started vomiting and very lethargic. Bottom line was his kidney function was not working - his BUN and creatinine levels were outrageous, but through fluid IVs and care they are going back down. He is home now and the vet said his prognosis is good. From what I have read it sounded pretty fatal and bad, but there is a chance it can be managed, depending how bad it is. I would defintely see another vet. I hope this helps - I know what you are going through. I have done nothing but cry for almost a week! Take care and good luck with your furbaby.

ssguzzy828 · 06-04-2005, 12:29 PM

I hope everything -works out with the second opinion. I'll keep you in my thoughts. Please let us know what happens.

06-03-2005, 09:08 AM	#1
maggiepie Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2005 Location: california Posts: 174	Help! Bad news from vet Hi, Please tell me what to do. Nikki's blood work came back with high BUN levels. She is about 14 mo old and the vet said the levels were 30!!! He said she could go on a prescription diet of KD, but thepicture he painted was bleak. I was trying to understand if the diet would 'eliminate' the problem, but he seemed to be telling me that eventually she would have kidney failure!! What the heck should I do? Second opinion??? I called the woman I got her from and left a msg.....My husband and I are of course so attached to her ALREADY!!! She is such a doll! But the horrible truth is, I can't afford dialysis and he said most owners eventually euthanize. Oh my gosh!!!! This is so sad!!!!

06-03-2005, 09:17 AM	#2
Babbie Got Mojo? Donating Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Miami Posts: 1,117	Get a second opinion...like for us human, this can make all the difference. I pray that she will be okay...but stay confident that if indeed it is as bad as the vet said, she can always improve...don't give up on you lil girl. Best of luck! __________________ Thati & Mojo

06-03-2005, 09:44 AM	#4
bettyeanne Donating YT 7000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Alabama, etc. Posts: 7,569	So sorry to hear about your baby! If you go to google.com and use advanced search, type in blood, then "search within results" type in BUN, then again "search within results" type in Canine ... this gives lots of information sites. I briefly read info on one of the sites ... had lots of clinical information. I am going back over there and search for information on treatment, etc. __________________ Toto's Mom *http://www.dogster.com/?206581www.millbusters.com/forums* THE CRAZY CLUB http://yorkierescuecolorado.com/home.html ~ Proud Member of SRC ~"PP" ~ Tink's Friends**

06-03-2005, 09:48 AM	#5
maggiepie Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2005 Location: california Posts: 174	still worried I'm getting a second opinion, having the blood work faxed to another vet whom will re do the BUN test to clarify. I'm HOPING there is some mistake or it is manageable at least!!!! Thanks everyone for the help.....

06-03-2005, 09:49 PM	#11
maggiepie Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2005 Location: california Posts: 174	I'm having her re-tested I'm going to have the blood test re-done, so I'm hoping, hoping there may have been an error or if not that they can at least say, Well she will be alright if I keep her off protien. She is just a sweetheart and she seems perfectly fine! I don't understand how she can run and play and be eager for walks,etc if she is as 'sick' as they make her sound. Well, thanks for the encouragement and I'll keep you posted! Thanks Marcia

06-03-2005, 09:35 AM	#3
jennifermcb Charmed by Sophie & Daisy Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: North Alabama Posts: 592	WHat was the diagnosis? I don't understand what high levels of BUN mean. Definitely get a second opinion and research ways to modify her diet so that she can live a normal, healthy life. Best of luck to you guys!

06-03-2005, 10:09 AM	#6
CC's YT Addict Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 397	I would check the protein level in the food you use. Sometimes high percent of protein can cause high BUN levels. If thats the only thing wrong in the blood work I would change foods and retest in 30 days or so. Keep the food with a protein level of less than 23% and fat less than 13%. I hope thats all it is.

06-03-2005, 10:35 AM	#7
maggiepie Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2005 Location: california Posts: 174	thank-you! I have an appt for a second opinion. They will re-run the BUN again and I had the other vet fax the bloodwork info as well. I hope that is all it is!!! I can't imagine anything could be so wrong. She appears to be completely healthy. Runs and plays and has energy...only thing is tiny appetite, which is 'normal' for yorkies. Besides, she is only 3.4 lbs!!

06-03-2005, 11:30 AM	#8
SoCalyorkiLvr BANNED! Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 8,246	Don't have anythhing to add for advice ,but just wanted to offer support. So sorry you got bad news. Hopefully changing thr diet and retesting in 30 days will work.

06-03-2005, 04:17 PM	#9
suzysmitt Currently Suspended! Join Date: May 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 2,150	I think I'd go to another vet, and have the bloodwork done over. Best wishes , and I will pray for you.

06-03-2005, 05:15 PM	#10
Yorkie_GirL Oreo,Ginger&Cloey Owned Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: none of your business Posts: 1,270	i'm a human nurse, but i know a little about BUN. (well i think i should ) this is for humans, but i'm not sure about yorkies The BUN level, usually with tests for creatinine, is used to evaluate kidney function and to monitor patients with kidney failure or those receiving dialysis therapy High BUN levels suggest impaired kidney function. This may be due to acute or chronic kidney disease. However, there are many things besides kidney disease that can affect BUN levels such as decreased blood flow to the kidneys as in congestive heart failure, shock, stress, recent heart attack or severe burns; conditions that cause obstruction of urine flow; or dehydration. Creatinine is a protein produced by muscle and released into the blood. The amount produced is relatively stable in a given person. The creatinine level in the serum is therefore determined by the rate it is being removed, which is roughly a measure of kidney function. If kidney function falls (say a kidney is removed to donate to a relative), the creatinine level will rise. hope that helps.. a little

06-03-2005, 10:13 PM	#12
Marie Mom loves Gucci Donating Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: New York City Posts: 6,419	is a good idea to have her recheck. I didnt know much about this so i did some research I found these links. http://www.vetinfo.com/dbloodwork.ht...odwork%20panel http://www.peteducation.com/article....&articleid=989 I hope are helpful. I agreed a change in diet might be all she need. I hope the new test shows her BUn leves in the normal. Good luck with your little one. __________________ Huggies, Gucci and Marie http://www.dogster.com/?132187 "I have been egged"

06-04-2005, 06:08 AM	#13
maggiepie Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2005 Location: california Posts: 174	thanks Marie Thank-you for going through the trouble of helping me research! I went to the link you gave me and BOY, I am so hopeful now!!!! That article really made me feel a lot better!!!! Many many thanks to all of you have been of help. P.S. Oreo's mom....thank-you to for your nurse's input. You said a lot of things the article said as well.

06-04-2005, 11:54 AM	#14
maxlover Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 106	Don't lose hope Please get a second opinion. I just brought my Max home from the vet hospital today after a stay for 5 days. He had surgery for bladder stones, came through fine, then started vomiting and very lethargic. Bottom line was his kidney function was not working - his BUN and creatinine levels were outrageous, but through fluid IVs and care they are going back down. He is home now and the vet said his prognosis is good. From what I have read it sounded pretty fatal and bad, but there is a chance it can be managed, depending how bad it is. I would defintely see another vet. I hope this helps - I know what you are going through. I have done nothing but cry for almost a week! Take care and good luck with your furbaby.

06-04-2005, 12:29 PM	#15
ssguzzy828 YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: south suburbs of illinois Posts: 734	I hope everything -works out with the second opinion. I'll keep you in my thoughts. Please let us know what happens.